Control system for warp knitting machine



July 23, 1963 G. w. TAYLOR 3,098,367

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN GEORGE W. TAY

July 23, 1963 G. w. TAYLOR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 25, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 VIII!!! LINE INVENTOR. GEORGE W, TAYLOR FIG.4.

July 23, 1963 G. w. TAYLOR 3,098,367

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR WARP KNITTING MACHINE Filed March 23, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR GEORGE W. TAYLOR operator runs four machines.

3,098,367 CGNTRUL SYSTEM FOR W KNG MACHKNE George W. Taylor, .lohnstown, N.Y., assignor of one-half to Walter F. Wessendorf, Jr., Guilderland, N .Y. Filed Niel. 23, 1961, Ser. No. 97,851 Claims. (Cl. 66-164) This invention relates to a mechanical stop system to be utilized in conjunction with warp knitting machines to control their operation.

The problem in the art relating to warp knitting machines is the need for a control system to improve the quality of the cloth produced while at the same time a1- lowing for more machines to be run by one operator.

In the normal operation of warp knitting machines, more particularly referred to herein as Simplex, an His duty is to observe the operations of the machines and upon those times and occasions when an imperfection develops in the yarn causing the yarn to break or become slack, the operator shuts off the machine and corrects the difliculty.

Reliance is placed upon the operators eyesight as well as nimbleness of foot to hold the quality loss of the produced cloth to a minimum.

In the prior art both electronic and mechanical controls have been utilized without substantial success.

Presently developed electronic control devices cannot be utilized with Simplex machines because of the construction of these machines. The electronic devices, moreover, are complex and are not easily maintained by the average mill man. The delicacy and sensitivity of the electronic control devices lie in a very narrow range concomitantly not stopping the machines at all when an imperfection develops, or stopping the machines for a small mark, such as grease, in the yarn.

Heretofore utilized mechanical control system employed a metal drop held in position by the tension of the yarn. Yarn breakage or slackness would allow the gravity fall of the drop contacting a copper wire, creating an electrical circuit through the drops thereby stopping the machine. Dust and mill grime acted as an insulator thereby preventing the drop from completing the electrical circuit necessary to shut off the machine. Further problems in the mechanical control system were occasioned by the fact that dust and grime impaired movement of the gravity drops since the drops were only slightly unbalanced and by the fact that if the drops were made heavily unbalanced the slight tension of the yarn would not hold the drops up out of contact with the copper wire.

The object of this invention, therefore, is to provide a control system that is positive in operation and will not malfunction easily and that may be operated, maintained and repaired by the average mill man.

Since the drops utilized in the control system do not rely upon the force of gravity for actuation and since the drops are in static balance very little tension of the yarn is required for the drops to remain in their inoperative position.

As contrasted further with the mechanical control system heretofore utilized, the electrical circuit in this system is not directly through or dependent upon the drops, but the electrical circuit is closed by a standard switch removed from the drops.

In this invention, breakage or slackness in the yarn will result in the positive driving of the drop with which the yarn is associated. A slub in the yarn will likewise produce the same result.

As compared to the electronic control devices, this device operates upon the yarn before the cloth is produced, where as in the electronic devices the cloth must be scanned after being produced.

It should be further appreciated that a slub in the yarn often causes knitting needles to break and that one of the objects of this invention is the arrangement and construction of the drops such that the slub will result in the engagement of the drop and co-operative effect upon the drop for driving of same to shut off the machine.

Further objects of the invention should be appreciated from the detailed specification in conjunction with the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to similar parts, in which FIG. 1 is a side view of one of the drops with the shafts and rod with which it is associated in section;

FIG. 2 is a view of the mechanical switch actuation and a portion of the drive train;

FIG. 3 is a View partly in section of the drive train for the system;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic view for the electrical controls utilized in the system;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of FIG. 1.

A series of statically balanced drops, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, are freely mounted on shaft 3 mounted in suitable end bearings, not shown. Theshaft 3 rotates in a counter-clockwise direction as will be further described. Bearing 5 and two spacer washers 7 on each side of the drop 1 are co-rotatably mounted with respect to the shaft 3.

In the preferred form of the invention, shaft 3 is of 0.75 0 inchdiameter, bearing 5 co-rotatably mounted with respect to shaft 3 is of 0.995 inch diameter, the bore in drop 1 is of 1.000 inch diameter, the thickness of bearing 5 is 0.005 inch greater than drop 1 and the spacer washers 7 are of 1.250 inch outside diameter.

The upper tail portion 9 of the drop 1 is configured to complementarily abut against rod 11. The yarn 13 which is fed to the knitting machine is threaded through the throat 15 of drop 1. The yarn moves downwardly as viewed in FIG. 1. Normal tension on the yarn 13 will cause the upper tail portion 9 of the statically balanced drop 1 to abut against the rod 11. It should be further appreciated that the upper tail portion 9 at its extremity is configured substantially to a sharp point such that in point of the upper tail portion 9.

Clockwise rotating shaft 17, mounted in suitable end bearings, not shown, preferably of 0.750 inch diameter, has a longitudinal groove 19 with an inclined face 21 of ten degrees undercut.

In the preferred form of the invention, the shafts 3 and 17 are so arranged that upon the upper tail portion Si of drop 1 being held against rod 11 the lower tail portion 23 of drop 1 will be approximately 0.020 inch from engagement with the shaft 17.

It should be appreciated that each yarn 13 feeding into the knitting machine will have in operative association therewith a drop 1, bearing 5 and two spacer washers 7.

It should be appreciated that in the event one of the yarns 13 breaks, becomes slack, or has a slub; in the former two situations the bearing 5 and spacer washers 7 will co-operatively frictionally engage drop 1, thereby driving drop 1 in a counter-clockwise direction resulting in the lower tail portion 23 engaging groove 19 to prevent shaft 17 from rotating; in the latter situation the slub en- ,gages the point of the-upper tail portion 9 driving the drop in a counter-clockwise direction resulting in the lower tail portion 23 similarly engaging groove 19 to prevent shaft 17 from rotating. It should further be appreciated that in the latter situation the co-operative driving of the drop 1 by means of bearing 5 and spacer washers '7 will also be present.

By way of further explanation, it should be appreciated that, as viewed from the axial direction along shaft 3 in 43 rotatably mounted therewith by pin 45. '43 engages the face of the sprocket 33. A tension spring '47 whose tail portions 49 and 53 engage another depend- FIG. 1, with bearing 5 having a 0.005 inch thickness greater than the thickness of drop 1 and a washer 7 on each side of drop 1 and washer 7 arranged and emplaced on shaft 3 to abut bearing 5, in the normal feeding condition of the yarn 13 through the throat 15 of drop 1 with the yarn not breaking, not becoming slack, nor having a slub, the drop 1 will be free on bearing 5 and there will be no contact by either of the washers 7 with drop 1. But when the yarn is not in a normal feeding condition, the drop 1 will wobble with the resulting effect of washers 7 acting as friction driving means to engage drop 1 and drive drop 1 downwardly.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of the drawings, where applicable, drive stub shaft 25 has co-rotatably mounted therewith by means of pin 27 a drive clutch member 29. Drive stub shaft 25 rotates in the direction such that drive clutch member 29 is driven in a downward direction, as viewed in FIG. 2. Freely mounted on the drive stub shaft 25 is a driven clutch member 31 having fixed therewith a sprocket 33.

Constraining driven clutch member 33 into operative engagement with drive clutchmember 29 is a lever 35 pivotally mounted by means of a depending portion 37 of gear box housing 39 having a pin 41 provided therefor.

The upper portion of the lever 35 has a roller element The roller ing portion 51 of gear box housing 39 and the lower portion of the lever 35, respectively, thereby biasing the driven clutch member 31 into operative engagement with the drive clutch member 29.

A micro-switch 55 having a roller 57 riding upon the surface of lever 35 has an arm 58 to engage button 59 to open the switch.

FIG. 3 of the drawings shows a chain 63 trained about the sprocket 33 and the sprocket 65 which is fixed to the shaft 17 thereby imparting drive to the shafts 3 and 17 by having gears 67 and 69, in engagement, fixed to shafts 3 and 17, respectively.

Thus it should be appreciated that, in the situations described more fully hereinbefore, when the shaft 17 ceases to rotate, sprocket 33 will cease to transmit drive. Thereupon, shaft 25 which continues to rotate will cause drive clutch member 29 to be disengaged from driven clutch member 31 and also to cam driven clutch member 31 and its sprocket 33 in a leftward direction thereby effectuating pivotal movement of lever 35. The movement of the lever 35 and the associated operation of lever 35 with micro-switch 55 effects the opening of micro-switch 55 thereby stopping the rotation of the shaft 25 as will be more fully described.

With reference to FIG. 4 of the drawings, the microswitch 71 which is on the left side of the knitting machine has the same elements shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of the drawings operatively associated with it in order to effect the same result as is effected by the elements shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 of the drawings and which elements are operatively associated with micro-switch 55 on the right side of the knitting machine.

Micro-switch 55 and micro-switch 71 are placed in the low voltage coil circuit in series with the shipper rod control switch 73 and the magnetic motor control 75 in order that the opening of any one of the switches will break the coil circuit and drop out the motor switch.

Accordingly, in the operation of the knitting machine should any one of the drops 1 either on the right side or on the left side of the knitting machine be driven into engagement with the groove 19 of the operatively associated shaft 17, the knitting machine drive motor 77 will stop.

Based upon the estimate that a Simplex machine will produce thirteen linear inches of cloth in three elapsed 4 minutes or 4.333 inches per minute and that shaft 17 is rotating at approximately ten revolutions per minute, the significance and contributive effect of the invention should be more fully appreciated because linear imperfections in the produced cloth can be held to less than one-half inch.

To restart the knitting machine the shipper rod control switch 73 is placed in the off position. The yarn end is replaced as in normal operation and its associated drop 1 is manually held against the rod 11. Shaft 17 is turned counter-clockwise thereby, by means of the drive train, causing the driven clutch member 31 to engage the drive clutch member 29 effecting the closing of its associated micro-switch. The closing of the shipper rod control switch 73 will energize the solenoid of the magnetic motor control 75 starting the motor 77 and after two or three courses the tension on the replaced yarn will return to normal and assure operation of the control device as before.

As recited in the claims the driven means comprise shaft 3, shaft 17, groove 19, face 21, drive stub shaft 25, pin 27, drive clutch member 29, driven clutch member 31, sprocket 33, chain 63, sprocket 65, gear 67 and gear 69.

As recited in the claims the control means comprise lever 35, pin 41, roller element 43, pin 45, tension spring 47, tail portion 49, tail portion 53, micro switch 55 roller 57, arm 58, button 59, micro switch 71, shipper rod control switch 73 and magnetic motor control 75.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A control system for a warp knitting machine comprising driven means including a first shaft and a second shaft, drops arranged on said first shaft, said drops guiding yarns fed into the knitting machine, said drops having upper tail portions abutting a rod and lower tail portions adjacent said second shaft, control means to shut off said knitting machine upon breakage of a yarn, slackness in a yarn, or a yarn having a slub; said control means cooperating with said driven means and said second shaft having means cooperating with the lower tail portion of the drop upon breakage of a yarn, slackness in a yarn, or a yarn having a slub; all of the foregoing recited structure and means being so cooperatively and correlatively associated, arranged and constructed such that upon breakage of a yarn, slackness in a yarn, or a yarn having a slub said knitting machine is shut off.

2. The subject matter as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means of the second shaft cooperating with the lower tail portion of the drop comprise a longitudinal segment cut out from second shaft.

3. The subject matter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lrops arranged on the first shaft are statically balance 4. The subject matter as claimed in claim 1, wherein each one of the yarns fed into the knitting machine has a drop associated therewith.

5. The subject matter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driven means further comprise washers co-rotatably mounted on said first shaft with frictional washer engagement of a drop effected upon breakage, slackness or slubness of the yarn associated with said drop.

6. The subject matter as claimed in claim 5, wherein bearings are co-rotatably mounted on said first shaft with one of said washers arranged and disposed on each side of the drops disposed between said washers.

7. The subject matter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said drops arranged on said first shaft are freely mounted on said first shaft.

8. The subject matter as claimed in claim 1, wherein said driven means further include a rotating third shaft carrying a driving clutch member to transmit drive to said second shaft through a driven clutch member.

9. The subject matter as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control means comprise a biased pivotal lever engaging said driven clutch member and constraining said driven clutch member into operative engagement with said driving clutch member.

10. The subject matter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said control means further include a micro switch opened by movement in one direction of movement of said biased pivotal lever upon yarn breakage, slackness or sllubness.

References Cited in the file of this patent 6 Ryon. June 4, 1918 Barratt July 10, 1923 Bassist May 14, 1946 Quick et a1. July 11, 1950 Shortland Nov. 10, 1953 Home Feb. 1, 1955 Vossen Jan. 8, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain of 1902 

1. A CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A WARP KNITTING MACKINE COMPRISING DRIVEN MEANS INCLUDING A FIRST SHAFT AND A SECOND SHAFT, DROPS ARRANGED ON SAID FIRST SHAFT, SAID DROPS GUIDING YARNS FED INTO THE KNITTING MACHINE, SAID DROPS HAVING UPPER TAIL PORTIONS ABUTTING A ROD AND LOWER TAIL PORTIONS ADJACENT SAID SECOND SHAFT, CONTROL MEANS TO SHUT OFF SAID KNITTING MACHING UPON BREAKAGE OF A YARN, SLACKNESS IN A YARN, OR A YARN HAVING A SLUB; SAID CONTROL MEANS COOPERATING WITH SAID DRIVEN MEANS AND SAID SECOND SHAFT HAVING MEANS COOPERATING WITH THE LOWER TAIL PORTION OF THE DROP UPON BREAKAGE OF A YARN, SLACKNESS IN A YARN, OR A YARN HAVING A SLUB; ALL OF THE FOREGOING RECITED STRUCTURE AND MEANS BEING SO COOPERATIVELY AND CORRELATIVELY ASSOCIATED, ARRANGED AND CONSTRUCTED SUCH THAT UPON BREAKAGE OF A YARN, SLACKNESS IN A YARN OR A YARN HAVING A SLUB SAID KNITTING MACHINE IS SHUT OFF. 